Web perfecting, folding, and cutting machine with endless band printing members



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nuuunuuu L. DE FLOREZ WITH ENDLESS BAND PRINTING MEMBERS WEB PERFECTING,FOLDING, AND CUTTING MACHINE June 10, 1952 Flled Jan 4, 1947 June 10,1952 DE FLOREZ WEB PERFECTING, FOLDING, AND CUTTING MACHINE WITH ENDLESSBAND PRINTING MEMBERS 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed Jan. 4, 1947 is m "glNVENTOR lu/s oe F/orez N j BY g/mmmmlmmm ATTORNEY Patented June 10,1%)52 WEB PERFECTING, FOLDING, AND CUT= TING MACHINE WITH ENDLESS BANDPRINTING MEMBERS Luis de Florez, New York, N. Y., assignor, by mesneassignments, to The de Florez Company, Inc., a corporation of DelawareApplication January 4, 1947, Serial No. 720,183

3 Claims.

This invention relates to books and has for its objects the provision ofan improved method of, and apparatus for, the manufacture of books. Inaccordance with one aspect of my invention, I print a moving web ofpaper on both sides in cyclic sections, each section comprising all thepages for a complete book, unless unduly large, by means of type set onendless belts. Another feature of the invention involves the zig-zag oraccordion folding of the cyclic section into page sections and thecutting of the sections in a precisely arranged automatic operation.

In one of its more complete aspects, my invention provides a very simpleand efficient means of printing any desired number of pages on a movingweb in repeated cyclic sections, the cutting of the cyclic sections fromthe web, the accordion-like folding of the cyclic sections into pagelength folded units, and the arrangement of the folded units into pageblocks ready for binding. I may print single rows of pages or multiplerows of pages in each cyclic section depending upon the size of thebook. The folded units are compressed directly into blocks ready forbinding when a single row of pages comprise the width of the web, orcompressed and cut into several sub-page blocks when several rows ofpages are printed on the web, said sub-page blocks being assembled inproper order into a single page block ready for binding.

One feature of the invention comprises the printing of one side of theweb followed by rapid drying of the ink, printing on the opposite sideof the web in a precisely controlled position on the web with respect tothe first printing so that the printing on both pages of each leaf issuitably superimposed, and the adjustment of the moving printed web withrespect to the folding and cutoff operations to effect the accuratefolding between pages and cutting at the end of each cyclic section.

In the printing of the web in cyclic sections. whether in single ormultiple rows of pages, in the accordion folding of the cyclic sectionsinto folded units, and in the production of the blocks ready forbinding, my invention provides the book industry with a simple operationof great flexibility which eliminates many of the difficulties andlimitations in present printing and binding operations. In thesucceeding operation of binding, and particularly in the arrangement ofthe folded leaves, the invention gives advantages in the directutilization of the printed material, eliminating the presentobjectionable storage and assembly of portions ofbooks incident tobinding. I am able to convey the page blocks continuously as produced tothe binding operation and thus I eliminate accumulations and storagewhich now plague the industry, and many of the expenses resultingtherefrom.

One of the important steps or sub-divisions of a complete operation ofmy invention is the binding of the page blocks by adhesively connectingthe folds together and to a cover. In accordance with this aspect of myinvention, I arrange all the folds of the page block to embrace a commonbinding edge, and apply the adhesive to the folds of the binding edge tosecure them together, and then adhesively connect the cover to the book.

It is one of the objects of this invention to provide a printingapparatus which, at each im= pression, provides all of the printedmatter required for one ordinary book, say of not over 350 to 400 pages,and which, together with synchronously operated folding and cuttingmechanisms, has as its end product a book copy ready for the bindingoperation.

The invention provides apparatus for effecting repeated printing cycleson a moving web, each cycle comprising a multiplicity of pages andautomatically operated mechanical means for folding the resulting cyclicweb section into accordion-like folds of page size or multiples thereof.

The apparatus of my invention comprises two pairs of cylinders, onecylinder of each pair being power driven, and an endless belt forprinting mounted on each pair of cylinders, each belt comprising one ormore type-belts, each typebelt being provided with means for printingone row of pages of the cyclic web section. The typebelts on one pair ofcylinders are provided with page size type-forms for printing the web onone side and the type-belts on the other pair of cylinders are providedwith page size type-forms for printing the web on the opposite side. Thetype-belts are of flexible construction preferably comprisinginterconnected readily separable links of any desired length, and thepage type-forms attached thereto are preferably of rubber or of otherflexible material. The links flex and conform to the cylinders whichcarry them. Each link may be the size of one or several pages and hasmounted thereon one or several page typeforms of the actual printingcharacters. These links may be connected together by hinged joints,especially those Which may be connected or disconnected with facility inchanging from one printing operation to another. I have found itadvantageous to use a coupling means which performs the severalfunctions of resiliently taking up slack, engaging the type-belts to thecylinders, and conforming the links to the cylinders. My inventionprovides for the printing of a web on the periphery of the type-forms asthey travel over the circumference of the cylinder and in furtherance ofthis objective I arrange impression rollers in contact with the movingweb to press the web into printing contact with the previously inkedtype-forms.

My invention provides an apparatus synchronized with the printingapparatus for cutting off the cyclic web sections, forming the sectionsinto accordion-like folds, compressing them, and forming page blocksready for binding.

These and other novel features of the invention will be betterunderstood after considerin the following discussion taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figs. 1 and 2 together comprise a more or less diagrammatic illustrationof a'complete apparatus embodying my invention;

Figs. 3 and '4 are enlarged fragmentary plan and side views,respectively, of an endless'typebelt of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view at 5 -5 of Fi 3;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of one-of the linking members;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary'view at 1-4 of Fig.2, and

Fig.8 is an enlarged fragmentary view -'at 9-41 ofFig.'2.

The apparatus illustrated in the drawings comprises printing cylinders iand 2 corresponding somewhat to the cylinders of conventional rotarypresses. These cylinders are securely mounted in fixed bearings foraccurately aligned rotation and are power driven in synchronism. Theidling cylinders 3 and *4 correspond indiamet'er and length to theprinting cylinders and are'mounted in adjustable bearing means (notshown) which permit moving the idling'cylind'ers toward andaway from theprinting cylinders land 2 for the purpose of space adjustment. Theadjustment of the position of cylinders 3 and! is to "ac-- commodateendless belts 5*and8 of varying lengths. These endless beltsmay be'madeofany suitable flexible'material, such ass'teel 'orother metal, eitheras unitary members or in one or more sections SwhichIrefer to astype-belts.

Fig. 1' shows'endless'belts, each comprising four identical type-belts.The number "of'typebelts is determined by the number 0! rows ofpagesprinted on the web for one'book. Inthe form of type-belts illustrated,the belt links'iL are' forrned in such'size as to accommodate the'typeforms F for two pages and are connectedtogether with hinged joints H.The hinges servegas sprocket lugs'and engage recessesR inthecylinders I.2, 3 and 4. Thesehinge lugs prevent creep ofthe belts and resultingmisregister of the type with the paperweb. It is advantageous touselinks of such construction thatin cooperation with the linking members'lthey form a slightly elastic connection to compensate for slightvariations in the length of the type-belt. Asbest shown in Figs. 3 and4, the links L carry'type-forms F'of flexible material. Inone-suitablefform of typebelt, the type-forms are of vulcanized rubber'cemented to the links. The typeis preferably formed by molding thematerial of the typeforms F in any suitable manner. The'links have hooksatthe ends which areinserted inthe open ing 8 and are preventedfrom-endwise displacement. Members 1 are preferably formed of springsteel and the slits 9 at the end permit adequate flexing to insure theelimination of slack.

Each of the type-belts is but little wider than the page to be printed.The edges oft-he typebelts travel around the cylinders l to 4 betweenannular ribs or guides G. Each type-belt, regardless of the number used,is secured in its proper location by the hinged lugs H which engage therecesses R, in the cylinders and by the .ribs G which preventdisplacement in the axial direction of the cylinders. The beltstraveling around cylinders l and 3 print one face of the paper wen-whilethe belts traveling around cylinders'2 and 4 print the opposite side ofthe web.

Theainkinggrollers l0 and H are mounted in positions with respect torollers l and 2 so as to apply ink to the type-forms F in the usual way.The impression cylinders l2 and I3 of steel or other suitablesmooth'material are so located that they press the web'of paper intocontact :with

the type-forms F on'the type-belts. The web ofpaper I5 from a roll ofpaper (not shown) is drawn over-the direction idler rollers l6 and H inthe direction of the arrows and is guided between the type-forms F andthe impression -cylin-' der 12. To dry the ink in the shortytime availeable,the web ispassed upward; and in front of the-radiant or othersuitable type "heaters 19 to the direction idlerroller i9.

In order to maintain the web 'of paper in proper-position so'that thetype-forms F'on belt 6 willprint in the precise position with respect totheprinting'on theppposite'side'a suitablemeans is provided to'efiectalengthwise adjustment in the traveling web. passed downward and arounda floating compensating roller '20 which :is mounted in threadedbearings 2| and 22 whichtravel'up or-down on thescrews23 and 24. Thesescrews --are-rotated in either direction by'a-crank 25 on :the shaft:28.

The worms 21 and 28 ton shaft 26'rotate gears 29 and 30, and'therebycause upward-and downward-travel of the adjustment-rollerv 20 to effecta ,gradual advance'ment or retardation in the position of the web.

The web is thenpassed ,over the direction; idler rollers 33 and 34'andbetweenimpression roller l3 andthe type-:forms'Fon belt 6. This013618.". tionprints the oppositefaceof the web; in such manner that theprinted matteron onepage of a given leaf. is superimposed over theprinted v matter on the opposite page of theleaijinthe desired degree ofregister.

Aftergthe printing between roller l'3'and the type-forms on .belt" 5,.the web 'of paperis passed upward in frontgof't'he battery ofradiantiheaters 35 to dry the ink and'then'over the direction-idlerrollers 36 'and'3'l to the drawrollers-38 and 39 which pull the webthrough the apparatus just described. The rollers 38 and 39 are driven-,in-

synchrcnismwith' rollers l and 2. In order'to maintain *proper foldingand cutoff in J the next the 'web is passed over thefloatingy operation,

compensating roller 40. Thisroller is-mounted in'threaded bearings 4|and 42 whlch-travel'=up and down onthe screws 43 and. I By means of thecrank 45 the shaft 46 -andworm gears '41 and 48 are rotated in eitherdirection and the connected gears 49 and BIL-accordingly, rotate thescrews 4 land 42 to adjust the roller 49- so that the'w'eb will befolded at the properplace and cut off at thewen'd of eachcyclic section.

' 1 After passing 'between thrdraw rollers -uand The web is.accordingly,

39, the web passes between the flying shear rollers and 52 and thenbetween the folding rollers 53 and 54. The rollers 5| to 54 are drivenin synchronism with draw rollers 38 and 39. The roller 5| has alongitudinal hard rubber bar 55 inserted in a peripheral slot whichregisters with a cutting blade 56 on roller 52. Roller 5| is mounted ona fixed shaft but roller 52 is mounted at each end on an arm 51 pivotedat 58. The link 59 is pivoted at 60 and when pulled upward by spring 6|to the position shown in broken lines, the cylinder 52 is swung awayfrom contact with roller 5| and the blade 56 does not cut. The rotaryswitch 62 (Fig. 1) is driven by cylinder 2 and is provided with a systemof internal gears which are so synchronized with the number oftype-forms used that when the end of each cyclic web section passesbetween the block 55 and blade 56, the switch 62 energizes the solenoid63 and the link 59 is pulled downward to the position shown in Fig. 7 infull lines. The knife is, therefore, carried into cutting contact withthe block 55 and the cyclic web section is cut off at a position betweenthe end of one section and the beginning of the next. The circumferenceof rollers 5| and 52 is equal to two folds, or in other words, totwo-page widths so that the cut is never on the binding edge but on thatedge which is trimmed off in binding the book.

The rollers 53 and 54 are the same diameter as rollers 5| and 52 but areprovided with folding means for making two folds on each revolution.Each roller is provided with a longitudinally disposed peripheral insert64 and 55 formed of resilient rubber. Each roller has a pair of adjacentlongitudinally disposed peripheral grooves 66 with a knife edge 61embracing the circumference of the cylinders. As the web of paper passesbetween these cylinders, the knife edges 61 press the paper into therubber inserts 65 and 65 alternately first in one direction and then inthe other to give the paper a zig-zag or accordion-like fold.

In printing the ordinary book, having up to, say, 350 to 400 pages, onecomplete travel of the type-belts prints the pages of the entire bookand each time the blade 56 is moved into cutting position the section ofweb comprising the pages of an entire book is cut off. If the book issmall, containing, say, thirty pages, only one type-belt for printingeach side of the web is required. Where the book is larger, however, twoor more type-belts, as required, are used on each set of cylinders. Itwill thus be apparent, therefore, that the web comprises either acomplete book in one row of pages or a complete book in several rows ofpages which must be assembled. Where several rows of pages are printedin each cyclic web section, the invention provides means for slicing thefolded and preferably compressed folded units into sub-page blocks andthe assembling of the sub-page blocks in the proper page order into pageblocks comprising all the pages of a book ready for binding.

As the folded web leaves rollers 53 and 54, it falls into andaccumulates in the hopper 70. The accordion-like folds become compressedcloser and closer together under their own weight until they arecompacted into a fairly dense structure at the bottom. The endless chainH which travels around the chain sprockets l2 and I3 is driven insynchronism with rollers 53 and 54. The chain travels under the hopper10 and the cleat 14 on the chain engages the lowermost compressed andfolded unit 15 and pushes it out of the hopper. When the'folded unitenters the bite of rollers 16 and 11, it is carried to the positionshown and deposited on the chain belt 18. belt engage the folded unitsand carry them under the rotary saws 88 and the unit is cut intosub-page blocks 8|, 82, 83 and 84. The chain belt 18 carries the blocksover a platform 85 having a series of inclined and step-like shelves 86,81, 68 and 89, one for each sub-page block (Fig. 8). The belts H and 18are driven in synchronism with cylinders and 2 and also rollers 53 and54 so that the folded units are pushed out of the hopper l0 and carriedunder the saws and onto platform at the rate formed. Plunger 98 is alsooperated in the same synchronism so that each time the sliced sub-pageblocks reach the proper position on platform 85 they are pushed overeach other and deposited as a complete page block 9| on conveyor 92. Thepage block 9| is passed to a binding operation which comprises, in itsmore complete aspects, setting the book pages between jaws or clamps ofconventional types (not shown) which hold them together, adjusting thebinding edge embraced by the folds of the pages, either as a fiatsurface or rounded, applying adhesive over the binding edge, applyingcrash over the adhesive and attaching the cover to the crash. In onepreferred practice, folded end sheets are applied to the sides of thepage blocks before they are held by the jaws. The end sheets usuallycomprise two leaves and have folds which are in alignment with the foldsof the pages. The end sheets are attached to the crash and to the coverin binding the book.

The invention is not limited to the printing and binding of books havingno more than 400 pages. The operations just described may be used inproducing page blocks which comprise only part of a book, say, one-half.These fractional portions may be accumulated and combined with the otherfractional portions formed in a similar operation. To avoid storage,identical machines may be operated side-by-side, one printing oneportion of the book and the other the other portion of the book. Theresulting page blocks may be assembled or combined in any suitable wayincident to binding.

I claim:

1. The improvement in book printing machines which comprises two pairsof cylinders, at least one cylinder of each pair being power driven, atleast one endless flexible type-belt on each pair of cylinders, typemeans for printing several pages of a book mounted on the typebelts,means for feeding a web of paper adapted to receive page impressions ofa plurality of pages across its width into printing contact on one sidewith the type means of one type-belt and then the other side of the webinto printing contact with the type means on the other type-belt wherebythe Web is printed on both sides, means for folding the printed webtransversely in accordionlike folds, means for cutting off a folded unitof the web comprising a predetermined number of printed pages, means forcompressing the folded section, and cutters for slicing the compressedsection into page blocks for assembly into a book.

2. A continuous web perfecting press adapted for printing repeatedly onboth sides of a passing web any selected one of a plurality of imprintpairs having various dimensions longitudinally of the web, comprising incombination, two groups of spaced rotatable means, at least one endlessThe spaced cleats 19 on the.

was-w 7 typezbelt mounted on eachgroup of rotatable meansandadapted tocarry printing plate means for. respectively vprintingthe imprints of aselected pair on opposite sidesofa'web, impression means disposed. tocoact with .said type belts adjacent onetoi .saidrotatable means, meansfor directing acontinuously moving web first in contact with theprintingplate means of one type-belt, mounted onone'group ofspacedrotatable means :and then. into printing contact with the.printing plate means of the other type-belt mounted .on the othergroupof spaced rotatable means and'adjustinga means .for. accommodating the,apparatus to'feflect application of imprints of the aforesaid variousdimensions, said; adjusting. means includinggmeansior changing thespatial relationship ofxtheispaced rotatable means :ofzeaoh of thetwogroups; "to. accommodate type-belts of...'var1ous lengthsandmeansforiadjusting the length of webbetween the. impressionsto:.correspond to: the lengthof the :carrier.

.3. A continuous Webperfecting press adapted forprintingirepeatedlyonboth sides of a pass-'- ing:web' any selected one of a plurality ofimprintedpairs having various dimensions longitudinally of. theweb,comprising, in combine.- tion, two pairsof rotatable cylinders atleastone cylinder of veach .pair being power-driven, at least one.endless'type b'elt mounted on each pair. of

cy-lil'iders; type .means of printing several pages ohabook mounted onthe, type-belts, impression means'disposed. to co-act with.saidtype-belts adjacent. one .of: said rotatable cylinders, meansforireeding .aweb of. paper into printing contact on oneside with thetypemeansof the one typebelt and then the other side of the web intoprinting contact with the type means on the other type-belt andadjusting means for accommodating theapparatus to effect application ofimpressions of the. aforesaid various dimensions, said adjusting meansincluding means for changing the spatial. relationship of the rotatablecylinders of' each of the two pairs, to accommodate typebelts'of variouslengths and means for adjusting the length of webbetween the impressionscorresponding to the length of the carrier.

LUIS DE FLOREZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of recordin the file.of'this' patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re. 13 Trench Sept. 17,1839582,631 Firm May 18, 1897 769,296 ,Bender Sept. 6, 1904 1,223,347Stoddard, Jr. Apr. 17, 1917 1,315,159 Rochon Sept. 2, 1919 1,385,569Mayer et al July 26, 1921 1,489,833 Keller Apr. 8, 1924 1,777,448 RaderOct. 7, 1930 1,787,969 Ball Jan. 6, 1931 1,943,264 Snyder Jan. 9, 19342,037,181 Shomaker Apr. 14, 1936 2,181,117 Brenn Nov. 28, 1939 2,234,726Frazier "Mar. 11,1941

